Apparatus for shaping hats



(No-Model.)

L. H. HOYT.

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING HATS.

Patented May 8, 1883.

N. PETERs, Fholo-Lxlhogrlphen Wahinglon. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIUS H. HOYT, OF DANBURY, CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING HATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 277,035, dated May 8, 1883.

Application filed August it, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LUCIUS H. HOYT, of Danbury, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Shaping Hats; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a fulland exact description thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which the brims of hats of various sizes may be conveniently and rapidly shaped. The shaping-surfaces are composed of a number of pieces, which are made adjustable, so that one apparatus may serve for giving any ordinary or required shapes to hat-brims of various width.

I use the term shaping in the ordinary acceptation as employed by hat-manufacturers that is to say, giving to the hatbrim the desired scope and roll; in other words, giving the proper inclination in front and back and 'at the sides, exclusive of the curling or turning over the rim of the hat-brim toward the hat-body, which is preferably done previously to the shaping, when my improved apparatus is employed for the latter purpose.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan.

The right-hand portion of Fig. 1 and the left-hand portion of Fig. 2 show certain parts contracted for the purpose of shaping hats with narrow brims, while theleft-hand portion of Fig. 1 and the right-hand portion of Fig. 2 show the parts extended for shaping hats with wider brims. The position of the adjustable parts in the upper portion of Fig. 3 corresponds to the right-hand side of Fig. 2, and the, position of the parts in the lower'portion of Fig. 3 corresponds to the left hand side of. Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan of some of the adjustable partsdetached. Fig. 5 is a plan showing the means for adjusting some of the parts. Fig. 6 is a plan showing the means for adjusting the entire apparatus to various sizes othats.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

B B are two castings adapted to slide upon the base-plate A, and held down on the latter by means of two bars, B, held in position by the screws B which latter pass through guiding-slots formed in the castings B, and are firmly screwed down into the base-plate A, thus serving to steady and guide the pieces B in their forward-and-back ward, or, rather, inward-and-outward, motion. The movement of the castings B is effected by means of the gear-wheels b, which receive their motion from a pinion, b, and shaft 1), which latter is provided with asuitable handle or crank, as shown. The wheels 1) gear into racks I), each casting B carrying one of these racks in such manner that one rack b engages with-one wheel I), while the other rack b engages. with the other wheel b, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

B are standards cast in one piece with the respective pieces B, and to the upper ends of which are joined the front and back shapingpieces, C. The inclination of the latter, and consequently the scope of the hat-brim may be varied by turning said pieces C on the' joints 0, and .then securing them in the desired position by means of the thumb-screws c, which are tapped into the castings B,and serve 'to confine the slotted extensions C, as will be readily understood. I

C are the front and back extension-pieces. They are formed with slots 0 through which extend rivets which confine them to the main pieces C, with liberty to move inward and outward thereon.

c are rods slightly bent, as shown, and capable of sliding up and down in the socketsb, which latter are capable of turning to a small extent on their ends in suitable depressions formed in the castings B.

of are springs, which, acting on the collars 0 on the rods 0 have a tendency to press the extension-pieces upward and outward, this tendency being counteracted by the thumb-nuts 0 by means of which the pieces C may be pressed and kept inward.

The shaping-surface between the pieces Cis formed by the lateral pieces D, which are attached to rods D. The latter slide in sockets A which form part of the base-plate A. Springs d serve to press the rod D upward,

and thus constantly hold the lateral shapingon springs d, which are attached to the sleeves d surrounding the sockets A, and pressed upward by the springs (1 The eccentrics d, turnin gloosely on the rods D, serve to press the pieces D outward into a more or less extended position against the force of the springs d.

D? are intermediate pieces arranged between the main pieces D and the extension-pieces D. The latter are formed with a transverse slot (1 into which projects a'pin extending downward from the pieces D so that when not extended the pieces D will apply under the pieces D, the latter themselves being entirely or nearly entirely covered by the main pieces D, while in the extended position of the parts the intermediate pieces, D constitute a bridge between the pieces D and D thus making the shaping-surface on the sides continuous.

In order to also make the edge of the shaping-surface continuous in every adjustment of the apparatus, 1 provide pieces D, which are capable of swinging on pivots 0, set in the front and back shaping-pieces, 0, near thecenter line thereof, as shown. The other ends of the pieces D are provided with downwardlyprojecting pins dfiwhich slide in slots ti formed in the extension-pieces D. It will be seen that by this arrangement the entire edge of the combined shaping-surfaces forms a continuous graceful line, howsoever the parts be adjusted.

In working the device the operator first adjusts the various "extension-pieces (J O and D D according to the width of the brim of the hat-body which it is desired to set. For instance, if the brim measures in front and in back one and seven-eighths (1%) inch, the extensions 0 0 should be set so as to make the entire width of the front and-back shapingsurfaces one and three-fourths 1g) inch, leaving a small space to accommodate the slight curl at the front and back, the curling? of the hat orim being effected in a previous operation on a separate machine, or by hand, while the main body of the brim is left perfectly fiat.

Thelateral extension-pieces D D are similarly adjusted according to the width of the hatbrim at the sides and according to the amount of roll which it is desired to give to the sides of the hat-brim. Then the shaping-surfaces (J (J are adjusted in a more or less inclined position, according to the scope or pitch which it is desired to give to the hat-brim. Finally, the shaft 1) is turned to move the pieces 0 O 0 toward or from each other until the'opening formed by the entire combined shaping-surfaces conforms exactly to the size of the hat-body being treated. All the parts being adjusted in this manner,'the hat-body, the brim ofwhich should previously be warmed, so as to render the material mellow or soft, is placed in an inverted position upon the apparatus--that is to say, with the crown downward in the space between the shaping-surfaces and their supporting-arms. Theoperator then manipulates with a gentle pressure the brim, pressing it down upon the shaping-surfaces until the brim assumes exactly the shape of the latter, givingthe required scope in front and back and the required roll at the sides, so that the surfaces shall in no place present a sharp edge or corner, but shall show a continuous symetrical and graceful curve. When this result is satisfactorily attained the lateral surfaces D D are slightly drawn together by partially turning the eccentrics d, the hat-body is removed from the form, and another, previously warmed, is introduced, the lateral sur- -to modify the shape of the setting.

Instead ofshaping the brims upon my apparatus by pressing them upon the shaping surfaces'bymeans of the hands of the operator, I prefer in some cases to use a bag of sand or other pulverous and sufficiently heavy material, simply laying'it upon the apparatus after the hat is inserted therein, so that through its weight it will cause the hat-brim to apply snugly upon and assume the configuration of the shaping-surfaces. Such bag may be kept warm or may be used cold, as convenience may dictate. I

Modifications may be made in the details without departing from the principles of the invention or sacrificing all the advantages thereof. I prefer to make those edges of the shapingsurfaces which, when the apparatus is fully or partly extended, apply upon other shaping-surfaces, tapered or beveled off, so as to leave the general shapingsurface as smooth as possible.

In many sizes and styles of hats it is not necessary to contract the lateral shaping-surfaces D D. They may be allowed to remain stationary, and the hats may be successfully removed and new ones applied by simply springing the brims slightly, enough to allow the movement.

I claim as my invention- 1. In an apparatus for shaping the brims of hats, the front and back shaping-surfaces, O 0,

adapted to give the desired scope or pitch to the hat-brim, arranged adjustably upon a com- IIO IIS

mon base-plate, A, in combination with means 3. In an apparatus for shaping hat-brims, the front and back shaping-surfaces, (.l G, mounted on transverse horizontal axes c 0, in combina tion with means 0 for confining them in the gesired positions,substantially as herein speci- 4; In an apparatus for shaping hat-brims, the

lateral shaping-surfaces D D, in combination,

with extension-pieces D D and with means 01' d for controlling the position of the latter, substantially as herein specified.

5. In an apparatus for shapinghat-brirns, the lateral shaping-surfacesD D, in combination with the extension-pieces D D and with the intermediate pieces, D D carried by the pieces D and with means for controlling the position of the latter, substantially as herein specified.

6. In an apparatus for shaping hat-brims, the combination of frontand back shapin g-surtaces, G O, extension-pieces 0 (J lateral shapingsurt'aces D D, extension -pieces D D and pieces D 1), arranged to connect the extension-pieces O and D and to render the edge or outline of'the entire shaping-surface continuous, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my hand, at Danbury, this 10th day of August, 1882, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

L. H. HOYT. 

